Unexpected Nas Connection Behind Drake’s ‘Stay Schemin Verse
SHOW DISCIPLINE
We’re back. And since Show Discipline Magazine has been covering Mass Appeal’s run all year, it’s only right we tap in with a Nas piece—especially now that he and DJ Premier finally dropped their long-awaited album this past Friday. A couple of tracks already stand out—Pause Tapes is tough—and once we sit with the full project, expect a proper review.
But for now, here’s a lesser-known hip-hop gem that recently resurfaced.
Shoutout to 92 Bricks on Instagram for unearthing this one. They posted something even longtime Nas fans might’ve missed: the surprising connection between Nas and “Stay Schemin’”—the French Montana and Rick Ross record that Drake helped turn into a moment.
The hook for Stay Schemin’ interpolates its chorus from an unreleased Nas song titled “Daydreamin’ (Stay Schemin’)” that dates back to the late ’90s. Nas had already laid down that melody years before it became the anthem we know today.
And honestly, Nas doesn’t get enough credit for his hook work. We always talk about the lyricism, the storytelling, the legacy—but Nas has always had a sharp ear for melody. A perfect example is “Gimme Yours” from AZ’s Doe or Die, where Nas floats on the hook and sets the entire tone of the record (remember that one?).
So learning that Stay Schemin’—one of the biggest replay songs of its era—quietly borrowed from Nas just adds another layer to his influence. And real talk — imagining a Nas verse on that beat? Crazy.
The rabbit hole gets deeper. Even Nas wasn’t the origin point. His unreleased “Daydreamin’” flips the vibe from Kurtis Blow’s 1980s track “Daydreamin’.” The same melodic pattern lives there first. Nas reimagined it for his own demo, and years later Ross, French, and Drake re-interpreted Nas’ version into the Stay Schemin’ hook we all know.
So the lineage is actually:
Kurtis Blow → Nas → MMG (French / Ross / Drake)
That’s hip-hop tradition in real time.
Quick hip-hop gem for the culture.
Tap into the new Nas x DJ Premier album, and stay locked — full breakdown coming soon here at Show Discipline Magazine.